Esports World Cup 2025: Now Featuring Valorant, LoL, TFT, and Chess

Esports World Cup 2025 is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and it is growing bigger and more exciting than ever.

In all of the history, it is the first time that this championship has introduced mainstream esports like Valorant, League of Legends, and Teamfight Tactics together with the classic game of Chess. This created a broader and more diverse gaming festival that welcomes people from all genres.

What Games Are Included?

Thanks to a new 3-year agreement with Riot Games, Valorant joins League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics at the end, forming a trio of Riot's most popular titles in the competition. Valorant has made a debut this year, while the other two return following their appearances in previous editions.

Whilst all of this is happening, Chess makes a historic debut at the Esports World Cup. Organized with Chess.com and under a multi-year collaboration, this marks the first time chess has been reimagined as fast, digital rapid chess, which joins a major global esports festival.

Why Is This Important?

This expansion in the World Cup reflects how much esports has grown from traditional video games to intellectual classics, which makes the event feel inclusive and appealing to gamers and non-gamers as well.

Chess, with its old and becoming history, now sets its seat saved in modern multiplayer games, showing that the competitive spirit and strategy matter in any format.

Event Highlights

1. Record Prize Pool

The Esports World Cup 2025 offers over $70 million, the largest prize money in esports history.

2. Grand Chess Debut

Chess players are set to compete in a 41.5 million rapid chess tournament. The format is 10 minutes per side, and it is fast-paced and viewer-friendly.

3. Top Chess Talent

Magnus Carlsen serves as the chess ambassador and went on to win the first Esports World Cup Chess title, defeating Alireza Firouzja and earning $250,000. His win also boosted his team, Team Liquid, in the overall standings.

4. Valorant Action

Valorant's tournament ran from July 8 to 13, 2025, with Team Heretics claiming victory in a thrilling final against Fnatic.

Conclusion

The Esports World Cup 2025 has been proving to be an enormous event providing opportunities for gamers as well as non-gamers to participate and win themselves a ridiculous amount of the prize pool.

This global festival is rising to become something for everyone, making it a defining moment in the world of entertainment and competition.